A YOUNG boy believed to have been working as a child slave at a cannabis farm has been missing for 10 days.

After being found at the Swinton cannabis farm Tuan Nguyen was put into a care home.

However he has not been seen since Sunday, September 9, sparking fears that his criminal masters have snatched him back. The youngster was found by police investigating the discovery of the drugs farm in Chelford Drive in June this year.

After attempts to trace his family failed he was put into a care home in Liverpool Road, Eccles.

The boy, thought to be aged between 11 and 14, was abandoned by his parents in his native Vietnam and was then looked after by an older woman he called 'grandmother'.

When she died he became a street child before being brought to Britain illegally to guard the house where hundreds of cannabis plants were kept.

Police and council officials said the boy's plight is part of a wider problem.

Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Wessell said: "Children are being brought into this country for the sole purpose of operating and maintaining cannabis farms.

"I'm led to believe there have been other cases like this elsewhere in the country.

It is believed a branch of Triads, a Chinese criminal organisation, could be behind the operation.

The group, known as the Snakeheads, specialises in human trafficking.

The boy had been interviewed by social services but as he does not speak much English not much is known about his background. He is described as about 5ft 4ins and of slim build, with cropped black hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a dark T-shirt and dark, possibly three-quarter length, trousers.

Detective Inspector Mark Radford, from Salford CID, said: "Tuan is a young boy in a country which is foreign to him and he does not speak very good English.

"We do not know at this stage whether he has any friends or family in this country and we are really concerned about his welfare. "I would urge anybody who has seen him or who has any information whatsoever as to his whereabouts or background to call us and help us trace him and make sure he is getting the care he needs."